Numismatic

1862 Indian Head Cent Good

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This 1862 Indian Head Cent offers a fascinating glimpse into American coinage during a pivotal moment in history. Unlike the pure copper cents of earlier decades, this issue features a specific alloy composed of 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel. This particular metal mixture gives the coin a distinct look and feel, characteristic of the United States cent pieces struck during the early 1860s. The obverse of the coin displays a profile of Liberty wearing a stylized Native American feather headdress, surrounded by the bold inscription of the issuing country and the date of manufacture, 1862. Designed by James B. Longacre, this imagery became one of the most recognizable faces of American pocket change for generations. On the reverse, the coin features a simple yet elegant wreath that encircles the denomination. The words ONE CENT are clearly struck at the center of the design. Minted in Philadelphia, this coin survives in Good condition, showing the honest wear of a piece that circulated widely during a historic era.